Published date: 31 July 2023

Last edited date: 3 August 2023

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 14 September 2023, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Legal services - 79100000

  • Education and training services - 80000000

  • Health and social work services - 85000000

Location of contract

North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West

Value of contract

£730,428

Procurement reference

tender_349054/1241535

Published date

31 July 2023

Closing date

14 September 2023

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

1 April 2024

Contract end date

31 March 2026

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The Department for Education is seeking to appoint a contractor to provide the
Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) for Fostering and Adoption 2024 -2027 services.

The Independent Review Mechanism provides an essential statutory service to prospective and existing foster parents, adopters and adult adoptees. The main function of the IRM is to offer an objective and independent route for applicants to request a review of decisions made by fostering and adoption services about their approval status and access to their records. The service offered by the IRM is unique within the sector and enables applicants to have their case heard by an independent panel of children's social care experts. The service is provided for in regulations and represents an important means of support, and a form of advocacy, for applicants.

The contract will be signed in January 2024 (Contract Signature date) and will allow for a 3-month mobilsation/transition period ending on 31 March 2024.

The contract will become effective (Contract Effective date) on 1 April 2024.

The initial contract term will be 24 months (01/04/24 - 31/03/26) and include an option to extend it for the additional period of 12 months until 31/03/2027.

The optional extension period is not guaranteed and will be at the absolute discretion of The Department. Any extension will be subject to the Departments approval process, availability of budget and current performance of the supplier.

More information

Links

Additional text

This open tender competition is being run via the DfE's e-procurement portal, Jaggaer. Links to the site and related guidance can be found via the following link:

Jaggaer Tender Reference - ITT_2209 - Independent Review Mechanism (IRM)

About the buyer

Address

Sanctuary Buildings, 20, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

elle.roberts@education.gov.uk